The construction fencing is down, and Crescent Beach Family Park is once again welcoming residents and visitors to one of the most recognizable spots on Fort Myers Beach. That's something our entire community can celebrate.
The reopening marks an important milestone for Fort Myers Beach and our community. After Hurricane Ian damaged the beachfront park, it has been thoughtfully restored and enhanced as a welcoming place for local families and visitors alike.
If you have been to Fort Myers Beach, you know the location. The 2.5-acre park sits at the base of the Matanzas Pass Bridge, between Times Square and Margaritaville Beach Resort. It's one of the first places you see as you arrive on the island, offering convenient public beach access in the heart of the community.
The $1.3 million project restored four beach access points, including an ADA-accessible route. It also added a picnic area, landscaped pedestrian path, bike racks, shade structures and utility connections for an ADA-compliant modular restroom facility.
Those improvements matter because they make the park more welcoming and easier for all of us to enjoy. Our Lee County Parks & Recreation team led the restoration effort, working alongside many partners to bring this important community space back to life.
The project was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Regional Park Impact Fees and tourist development tax dollars through the Lee County Beach and Shoreline Program. FEMA funding and impact fees helped return the park to its pre-storm condition. Beach and Shoreline funding allowed us to go further by making the park more accessible, more resilient and better suited to those who use it year-round.
To me, this is one of the best examples of tourism working for the people who live here.
Our beaches and natural environment are among the biggest reasons people choose to visit Lee County. They are also part of why we choose to call this place home. Through the Beach and Shoreline Program, 26.4% of the revenue collected from Lee County's 5% tourist development tax on short-term accommodations is reinvested in these shared resources.
Each project is a partnership involving local municipalities, Lee County and, in many cases, state and federal partners. Visitors help fund improvements. County leadership and staff help make them happen. Residents enjoy them every day. And together, we protect the places that make Southwest Florida special.
Crescent Beach Family Park is more than a restored park. It is another sign of Fort Myers Beach's progress and a reminder that tourism dollars can strengthen our community in visible, lasting ways. I hope you'll take time to visit, enjoy the park and s celebrate another step forward for Fort Myers Beach.
If you're looking for fun, new ways to enjoy Southwest Florida, this is a resource worth bookmarking. The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau's new digital Visit Fort Myers Visitor Guide is not just for travelers planning a vacation. It is also a terrific resource for those of us who live here.
Along with ideas for beaches, restaurants and attractions, you will find features on hidden gems, outdoor adventures, arts, culture and wellness experiences — including peaceful guided meditations set amid some of our area's beautiful natural surroundings. It may inspire you to discover a part of our area you have never explored or simply play tourist in your own hometown.
More than a vacation planner, the guide is a useful tool for our entire community. Whether you are welcoming out-of-town guests, planning a staycation or simply looking for your next local adventure, you are likely to discover a few new reasons to love where we live. It is also a great resource to share with family and friends planning a visit so they can start exploring before they even arrive.
Give it a try at guide.visitfortmyers.com/welcome
Pamela Johnson is the executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, a Lee County Government department and the lead marketing agency charged with bringing worldwide visitors to Lee County. Historically, more than 3 million visitors spend more than $3 billion annually. The VCB is funded exclusively by a 5% tourist tax and works to preserve and protect area beaches and the environment.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Celebrate Crescent Beach opening; new guide for Lee County, Florida